Monday, 07 April 2008

THE STRATEGIC BARRAGE

The US military and the Iraqi government are currently caught in the grip of a strategic barrage. The strategic barrage, a method used by great generals across history, works like this:

the attacker maneuvers its forces to seize critical territory in an enemy's rear zone (astride lines of communication and supply for example),

it makes extensive defensive preparations to hold that territory (i.e. a hedgehog),

which then forces the enemy to either make a series of hasty attacks (very costly) or a strategic retreat/surrender.

This method has been adapted by virtual states (a much more formal type of networked organization than a pure open source insurgency) like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Sadr's Mahdi Army to defeat their nation-state foes. Here's how:

By default, the Mahdi army controls territory within the Iraq's rear zone -- Baghdad's and Basra's slums. Further, Sadr's militias have the popular support and resources necessary to create defensive hedgehogs using modern weapons and light infantry tactics. Extensive financial resources allow them to get advances weapons/training (Sadr's militia makes billions from smuggling etc.).

They can turn this territory into a platform by which to attack the strategic interests of the state. In Baghdad, this translates into rocket/mortar attacks on the Green zone and US forward operating bases. In Basra, this means attacks on the oil export system. This puts a timer on the conflict. The longer the attacks go on, the worse the strategic position of the nation-state and its allies.

The nation-state is either forced to attack the defensive position (a very costly option) or submit to the demands of the virtual state.

Comments

The US military and the Iraqi government are currently caught in the grip of a strategic barrage. The strategic barrage, a method used by great generals across history, works like this:

the attacker maneuvers its forces to seize critical territory in an enemy's rear zone (astride lines of communication and supply for example),

it makes extensive defensive preparations to hold that territory (i.e. a hedgehog),

which then forces the enemy to either make a series of hasty attacks (very costly) or a strategic retreat/surrender.

This method has been adapted by virtual states (a much more formal type of networked organization than a pure open source insurgency) like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Sadr's Mahdi Army to defeat their nation-state foes. Here's how:

By default, the Mahdi army controls territory within the Iraq's rear zone -- Baghdad's and Basra's slums. Further, Sadr's militias have the popular support and resources necessary to create defensive hedgehogs using modern weapons and light infantry tactics. Extensive financial resources allow them to get advances weapons/training (Sadr's militia makes billions from smuggling etc.).

They can turn this territory into a platform by which to attack the strategic interests of the state. In Baghdad, this translates into rocket/mortar attacks on the Green zone and US forward operating bases. In Basra, this means attacks on the oil export system. This puts a timer on the conflict. The longer the attacks go on, the worse the strategic position of the nation-state and its allies.

The nation-state is either forced to attack the defensive position (a very costly option) or submit to the demands of the virtual state.

On Brave New War

G. Gordon Liddy Show (radio)...this is a seminal book in the truest sense of the term.. way ahead of the curve... go out and buy it right now -- G. Gordon Liddy

City JournalRobb has written an important book that every policymaker should read -- Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit)

Small Wars JournalWithout reservation Brave New War is for professional students of irregular warfare and for any citizen who wants to understand emerging trends and the dark potential of 4GW -- Frank Hoffman

Scripps Howard News ServiceA brilliant new book published by terrorism expert John Robb, titled "Brave New War," hit stores last month with virtually no fanfare. It deserves both significant attention and vigorous debate... - Thomas P.M. Barnett

Chet Richards DNIJohn has produced an important book that should help jar the United States and other legacy states out of their Cold War mindset. You can read it in a couple of hours – so you should read it twice...

Washington Times / UPIRobb correctly finds the antidote to 4GW not in Soviet-style state structures such as the Department of Homeland Security, but in decentralization -- William Lind (the father of 4th generation warfare).

Robert PatersonHaving painted a crystal clear picture of how a war of networks is playing out, he comes to an astonishing conclusion that I hope he fills out in his next book.

The Daily DishJohn Robb of Global Guerrillas has written the most important book of the year, Brave New War. - Daily Dish (The Atlantic)

Simulated LaughterWell-written. Brave New War reads more like an action novel than a ponderous policy book. - Adam Elkus

FutureJackedGo buy a copy of this book. Now. If you are low on cash, skip a few lunches and save up the cash. It is worth it. - Michael Flagg

ZenPunditThe second audience is composed of everyone else. Brave New War is simply going to blow them away. - Mark Safranski

Haft of the SpearThere aren’t a lot of books that make me recall a 12-year-old self aching for the next issue of The Invincible Iron Man to hit the shelves. Well done.
- Michael Tanji

Ed ConeHis book posits an Army of Davids -- with the traditional nation state in the role of Goliath. - Ed Cone (Ziff Davis)

Shloky.comThis is the first real text on next generation warfare designed for the general population and it sets the bar high for following acts. It is smart, it is a short read, and it will change your thinking. - Shlok Vaidya

Politics in the ZerosI suggest this is something Lefties need to start thinking about now, as that decentralized world is coming. - Bob Morris